Morning Summary: Fire causes damage to Champion Lakes Golf Course

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

3 1 minute read

Here is some of the latest news from this morning, Monday June 17, 2024.

Fire damages building at Champion Lakes Golf Course

Champion Lakes Golf Course was expected to be open Monday after firefighters extinguished a fire Sunday evening at a building at the Fairfield Township course.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the second floor of the building, TribLive news partner WTAE reported. No one was injured in the fire that occurred after 6 p.m. on Route 711.

Firefighting units were dispatched from more than a dozen departments, including seven fire trucks. Fairfield Township Fire Chief Kevin Stiffler noted the area is not served by fire hydrants.

The course was co-founded by the late Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Dick Groat. His daughter, Allison DeStefano, expressed gratitude for the firefighters' response and relief that the fire did not spread further.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

7 injured in an accident north of Versailles

At least seven people were transported to trauma centers for treatment following a crash Sunday evening on Route 30 north of Versailles, TribLive news partner WTAE reported.

The wreck was reported after 9 p.m. and caused the temporary closure of the George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Man rescued from Fayette caves

First responders and the rescue organization combined efforts Saturday afternoon, bringing an injured man to the surface deep within Fayette County's Laurel Caverns.

It took about three hours to save the man, who had a broken ankle, according to the Allegheny County Rescue Group, which assisted in the effort. The man was placed on a stretcher before being moved through narrow passages and steep areas requiring the use of ropes.

Other organizations that assisted in the rescue included firefighters from Hopwood, Fairchance, Ohiopyle-Stewart, Smithfield and Haydentown, as well as medics, the National Cave Rescue Commission Eastern Region and the Mountaineer Area Rescue Group.

Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering the Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. It also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be contacted at [email protected].